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Sunday, December 10 at approximately 8:27 a.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body located in a wooded area in the Fish Farm Mounds Wildlife Area south of New Albin along State Highway 26. Two hikers reported that they had found a body while hiking the area.

Officers from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department and a physician did respond to the location and determined that the remains found were those of a male individual and that the individual had been deceased for some time. The body was transported to the State of Iowa Medical Examiners’ Office in Ankeny for an autopsy and identification, which Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick said may take up to two weeks to complete. No foul play is suspected in the matter, according to the initial report from the Sheriff's Office.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train returned to both Lansing and New Albin this year, with this year's musical performers playing full shows at both locations Thursday evening, December 7. As evident in the surrounding photos, attendance at both events was strong, despite the cold temperatures that gripped the area that evening. This year's musical performers included country music artists Terri Clark (pictured above), Dallas Smith (in check presentation photo) and Kelly Prescott, and Santa Claus also made an appearance. Monetary and non-perishable food donations from attendees in Lansing benefited the Allamakee County Food Shelf, with a total of 1,073 pounds of food and $736 being donated, in addition to the $4,000 donation made to the Allamakee County Food Shelf by Canadian Pacific.

"Oliver the Tiny House" is big on amenities and ideas ... The tiny house pictured above was created by local newlyweds Logan and Mariah Fogt of Waukon, with Logan Fogt constructing the residence during a four-month period this past late summer and early fall for the purpose of the couple taking the home on the road. As evident in the photos below, the home has a number of amenities any homeowner would need, including lofted sleeping quarters (evident in the photo below), a living room area with a couch/storage area built into the home (evident in the lower photo below), and a full kitchen that includes some drop-down storage area for cooking and other kitchen necessities that the couple is demonstrating in the bottom photo at immediate right. Also evident in the photo below are barn boards used in the home's ceiling and window and other trim that were donated to the project by Gordon and Louise Ellingson of Waukon. Photos by Joe Moses.

The construction process ... The tiny house created by Logan and Mariah Fogt of Waukon earlier this year has everything the couple believes they will need to begin an anticipated life on the road in the very near future, including a functional bathroom area pictured above in its late stages of construction. The home was built from scratch by Logan Fogt, as pictured above during the early framing process of the home. Photos courtesy of Logan and Mariah Fogt. Those interested can see additional photos and follow the Fogts' road adventures via their Instagram account by searching for @oliverthetiny.

by Joe Moses

Newlyweds Logan and Mariah Fogt of Waukon recently completed work on a small home, nicknamed "Oliver the Tiny House" and built upon a flatbed trailer. The idea began with the couple as they explored the possibility of converting a school bus into a motor home, allowing for travel and extended visits.

As plans and the concept evolved, the Fogts decided to build a small house upon a flatbed trailer, providing greater customization of storage and living space in comparison to a traditional camper or motor home.

Logan Fogt worked on the wooden-framed building in his spare time after his regular full-time job, starting July 1 of this year and completing the project November 1. The 24-foot long house measures 174 square feet, excluding the loft areas - one of which is used as a sleeping area. Included within the home's floor plan is a kitchen, living room space and bathroom.

Friday, December 8, the Waukon Police Department conducted a search warrant at 204 Fourth Avenue NW in Waukon. As a result of the search, numerous arrests were made on a variety of drug-related charges and another search warrant was also executed in the New Albin area, leading to further arrests and charges.

At the initial search location in Waukon, 53- year-old William Evans of Waukon was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a narcotic. Nathan Klein, age 30, of Mechanicsville was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 11 to address a full agenda of items including the survey of property at 888 State Highway 9, Morgan Bridge ditch cleaning and the adoption of the Construction Evaluation Resolution for 2018.

Two area high school instructors are utilizing the experience they gained through local externships this past summer to enhance their teaching in the classroom this school year. Waukon High School Industrial Technology teacher Caleb Ferring (pictured above) gained knowledge and experience to enhance his classroom teaching through an externship at Benjegerdes Machine in Waukon, and Kee High School Agriculture and Industrial Technology Instructor Ray Rankin (pictured below) did likewise with an externship through Gruber Ridge Ag in rural Lansing. Submitted photos.

The Allamakee Business and Community Board convened November 17 to collaborate with businesses and local career and technical education teachers. Ray Rankin, Kee High School Agriculture/Industrial Technology teacher, and Caleb Ferring, Waukon High School Industrial Technology teacher, discussed externships they participated in this past summer.

During an externship, educators work side-by-side with knowledgeable and skilled industry employees who help bring the classroom curriculum to life. Teacher externships provide educators with the exposure to answer questions about real-world application, prepare students for careers they may have in the future and improve educational experiences.

“Afterschool with Ross” is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19, which is a date change to the third Tuesday for the month of December only, due to the upcoming holiday. The event is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in the Anne Lauerman Story Corner. Ross Geerdes, Conservation Naturalist with Allamakee County Conservation, will share information on the Winter Solstice.

“Afterschool with Ross” is a regular feature of library programming on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Families and children of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information contact the library at 563-568-4424 or robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us.

Ten 4-H’ers from Allamakee County recently participated in a Youth Leadership Training where they explored what it takes to be a leader through various group activities. In addition, youth learned skills that can be applied to their leadership role within their 4-H club. More specifically, they learned about officer positions and practiced parliamentary procedure. This training is hosted and facilitated by the University of Iowa Collegiate 4-H Club. To find out more about the ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H program in Allamakee County, contact Morgan Bjerke, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator at mlheim@iastate.edu or 563-568-6345.

World Kindness Day is a 24-hour celebration dedicated to paying it forward, or just going that extra step to make someone’s day a little brighter. Allamakee County Clover Kids discussed easy ways to be kind and made grateful rocks. Rocks were decorated according to what each youth was grateful for. They could be used as conversation starters at meals or placed around the house for decoration. The rocks could also be given away and hopefully put a smile on someone’s face. The Clover Kids then continued their winter tradition of making holiday cards to distribute to the local nursing homes. For more information about 4-H and upcoming activities contact Becky Rea at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345 or online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/. Submitted photos.

The 4-H program empowers youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships. The Allamakee County 4-H Council is an elite group of senior 4-H members who use their leadership skills to plan community service projects, lead educational workshops, and host many countywide 4-H activities. In addition, County Council members are each challenged to complete an individual leadership project. The objective of leadership projects is for members to create an impact in their personal growth as a leader and in their community while developing a relationship with an adult partner.